From consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and carbon-conscious conglomerates to even the Vatican, who hosted a ‘Climate Resilience” conference in May of this year, sustainability’s hold on economic, environmental, and societal discussions is tight.

The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report offers forecasts for dairy, beef and feedstuffs.

Let’s walk through the main fatty acids found in dairy diets and talk specifically about the signals they are sending beyond being utilized for energy. While they may seem complex, the stakes are high in understanding their roles as there is a rare function of the cow that is not impacted by fatty acids. 

If we look at the original purpose for the dairy checkoff, we were established by farmers to drive sales and trust in dairy through research and promotion. Historically, that research focused on dairy nutrition. However, as consumer trends evolved, it became clear that dairy needed to engage in environmental sustainability.

Healthy growths in cheese and whey sales buoyed U.S. dairy product exports in June as nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder, lactose and milk protein concentrates took hits. At the midpoint of 2024, U.S. dairy product exports were down 1.7% in milk solids equivalent. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot view at dairy-related export categories.

From lower bankruptcy filings and interest rates to slight increases in farmer sentiment and the Global Dairy Trade, news for the first week of August is fairly positive.